Match Reports

MBC v PEOPLES CHURCH ( UEFA SEMI FINAL)

1 -0 Saints!
 
Still we pushed forward with loads of attacks down the right and left and not much reward. Best chance was my header from a corner, I managed to pick out the keeper, which took loads of skill.
Dale and Thommo had a few chances but we couldn`t break through.
And then out of nowhere TPC were on the attack well really it was our mistakes that let them in, they had one or two shots but nothing really to worry about.
 
Half Time – MBC 1 – 0 TPC
 
At half time we Decided to Keep it the same which I thought was a good move by our Captain as we had no Subs on the bench.
 
Kick OFF
 
TPC went straight on the attack with Long balls that we could not deal with and came close but not really.
The second half then really became a real cup tie like the FA CUP with very scrappy football being played by both teams.
TPC became much more of a threat with the long ball still giving us problems. MBC were more creative of the two teams but could not put the ball in the back of the net.
Daniel probably came closest with an overhead kick. Then the game hit a patch were there was just too much talking and not enough football with everything becoming a debate.
I must say though that for a change it actually was not really us, or Me, or Mark or the rest of us.
 
Then a Substitute arrived in the form of Mark Slaz he came on for Alfie with Chad going to right back. Eventually we did find the back of the net but it was deemed to be offside. Dodgy!!!!!
 
Before full time TPC had a Free Kick right in front of Goals, They were all lining up to take it eventually when they took it, it sailed high into row Z of the stadium and that was that.
 
Full Time  MBC 1 – 0 TPC
 
A win is a win and even though it wasn`t pretty at least we won. And in an Arsenal Kit, I am almost certain the Fabric of those jerseys made us play like a 4th place team of London thugs.
 
Man of the match I have to give it to Harley. A clean sheet will always give us victory.
 
Well done Boys
 
St JAMES are the only team standing in our way now.
 
DUFFY

MBC v Jubilee ( Cup Match)

MBC v Cornerstone

Time 11:00
Weather- Warm
Team- Full strength

An interesting morning really which had more problems off the pitch than on it for a start. I was late for one and between Brad and Rich they forgot the kit. Thankfully it’s not the Premier league as I would of been fined two weeks wages and Brad and Rich would have been sacked( if they were kit managers) but as much as we want it to be it is just the Church League.

Last year against cornerstone we beat them I can’t remember by how much but I know we scored at least 3 or 4 and missed about 5 or 6. This year we were all fairly confident we would walk away with at least a win, well I was anyway!!! MBC again fielding a team with very few changes which is very important as we are really starting to play some good stuff.

Starting line up was Harley in goal, Backline exactly the same with Alfie, Rich W, Brad M and Stu Duffy. Midfield had Chad, Slaz and Lucius, Ben C and Upfront was ThommyG and Chad. Subs were Luke T. Daniel and Coming back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines Mike Smuts.

KICK OFF

MBC went right at them with a string of attacks in the early stages, Shots and crosses were coming in from all angles. Cornerstone were reduced to a few counters attacks, though having said that they were a handful, with their string of Quality Asian players (amazing what god is doing there) who were quite fit and strong and the Centre mid pair mixing it up well.

It has to be said and I must apologise here as I don’t mean to upset or offend anyone but the referee from Gospel Rhama really was a centre stage. Some terrible decisions, with us asking the questions, “Why??” only to be taught a lesson by the ref. For example , MBC gave a foul away on the edge of the area to be honest there wasn’t much in it as the Cornerstone player was really lying on the ground in no pain whatsoever!! One of our boys said they barely touched him and the ref replied with “You should be asking him how he is and helping him up as your friend” another was I claimed an offside and put my hand up! All of us did and the ref replied “Putting your hand up does not make it off side” Ha-ha Ha-ha, Classic! Maybe he has a point. Maybe not!

Back to the Action

MBC missed a string of good chances to open the scoring, Ben had a few, Thommo had a few and one disallowed for a dodgy off side, Slaz wasn’t messing about when his shot rifled past the cross bar, we really should have scored at least one.

Defensively we were playing a high back line and they were really reduced to long shots. One or two breaks down the left and right but we had it all covered. The pitch was quite heavy on the foot and slippery in the mid so there were a few dodgy moments of slipping in some crucial areas.

Out of nowhere Cornerstone attacked down the right, The door was really shut as we held our shape so they squared it to the centre and their striker had a shot which I’m am sure was out of desperation and frustration coz as he hit it he let out this Grunt as if he was hitting a forehand down the line “Ughh”, the ball looped over our heads, Harley came to pick it up and it must of hit a “Divot” or had some wicked spin on it and the ball went under him and into the net. 1 - 0.

I was shocked, we were all shocked!!!!!!!! We started to panic a bit taking most of our frustration out on the ref with his dodgy calls and each other for our bad mistakes that we were making. But we knew we could win this game and started to create chances again and before you could say” the referee is having a shocker” we were level with a well taking goal from Tommy G and to prove that their goal was a fluke we scored again with a low missile off the boot of Mark Slaz, 2-1

Half time- MBC 2 v 1 Cornerstone

At half time we were chatting and had decided that our conduct on the field was not what we were about and that we had let God, ourselves and the church we represent, MBC down.

So we decided to call a meeting and apologise to cornerstone and the referee. Which was welcomed by the opposition and the ref and Cornerstone also said they were not happy with their behaviour. It was mostly Mark Slaz and Stu Duffy that always had something to say but hey let’s not single people out. The referee on the other hand accepted the apology but carried on making terrible and I mean this when I say terrible decisions....terrible!

The game was poised at 2-1 but MBC were more relaxed and starting attacking with intent. Mike Smuts came on and this proved to be a good substitution as MBC started bombing down the left and right, one move in particular with Brad cleaning up my mess on the left, I took it off him and road a challenge passed it to Lucius who passed to Mark who switched the play with Smuts operating down the right with Chad and Ben missing the goal in the end. But the reason why I mention this move is because a Cornerstone player said to another “ Yo!!!! That’s like a move from the Premier League !!!

A corner on the right had the big man Rich going up Slaz swung it in and Rich was up for it and either he missed it or he flicked it on but it found its way to the head of Ben C for a good header into the top right 3-1

That knocked the wind out of Cornerstone and MBC managed to get another with some good passing and good ball through to Ben C who ran it all the way to the goals and slotted it home. 4 -1 It has to be mentioned thought that the Keeper stood very still when Ben C approached him and instead of making himself look big he knew he had no chance against “the ladies favourite” and made himself look rather small. We had a few more chances but they were all added to our Shots missed total.

Final Score MBC 4 v 1 Cornestone

It was a good win and a well deserved one, testing our Character as a team and even though we lost it with the referee a few times and with each other we managed to recognise our mistakes apologise and change our attitude and performance to a positive one.

At least the ref was consistent throughout the game.... Consistently Bad!!!!

As far as awards go the “Ladies Favourite” had a good game in the end with two goals, Slaz was consistent as ever Brad had a good game, but the award went to Rich W, ‘the big man” for his solid performance. And our keeper Harley!!! .... Well... he got to wash the kit!!!

Well done lads.

Duffy

MBC vs Church on Main

Venue – Chukker Road

Kick Off – 11:00 ( supposed to be)

Weather- Perfect

With Hurricane Howard ripping through the cape last week and postponing our game, Saints were left to working hard on the training fields to Stop a run of Draws that seem to have set in.

All the talk around the town has been about Mark Salz new signing Ben Cutting. Bags of skill and talent with this lad and really Great addition to the Squad.

Church on main were the Visitors and last year at The Theatre of Westcott if i remember correctly the beat us in the dying minutes with a Beauty of a header that looped in to the top corner.

Heart Breaking.

Could Lighting Strike Twice?

You better believe it can.( Any Liverpool fan will tell you that).

MBC have a much more solid look to the line up with Rich W at Centre back, Duffy in on the left and Wonder boy Ben C Starting at Left Mid! Slaz and Lucio( Lucius) running the show and Harley still looking Hot in Pink.

COM lined up in there very Toit outfit with all of them 8 ft six and with tree trunks for legs( They actually all look like Navy Seals)all except for Joel Sankster Ex MBC player.

Kick Off and it was Quite a tight game with i have to say MBC really running the show. Midfield Battle ensued and tackles started to fly. Also some very dodgy refereeing going on.

MBC gained some Momentum with early attacks down the flanks, the star of the show was Ben C (wonder boy) himself dribbling em silly in fact with all his fancy footwork he must be really be something in the disco!!!!!!!!

All the possession MBC had we were only reduced to long range efforts. Slaz And Ben both coming close but no way near, if you know what i mean.

The Navy seals had a few chances to but to be honest nothing close both defence`s doing a good Job come Half time,

Half time

Slaz had to make forced change with Duffy off with a Birthday Party Injury( Really Sore) to be replaced by Geoff who’s been out for a while.

The second half got off to a difficult start, with the Saints not quite being able to play with the composure that they had in the first. This, along with some interesting refereeing decisions early in the second half put the Saints under a lot of pressure. But we held up well under it and COM didn’t get a convincing opportunity for some time. Eventually though, COM’s relentless attacks gained them a corner which they managed to finish off with a blinding header into the far corner.

This however, was just the shock that MBC needed and that act of boorish defiance put our backs up and our chests out. We restarted with a renewed vigor and composure on the ball, unceasingly pushing COM back until, 5 min later, we forced our own corner. Mark put in a quality ball which ultimately dropped right at the feet of our high lying centre back, Richie the King. Rich had no trouble propelling the ball first into the crossbar and then the back of the net with a strike that drew its power not only from the hugeness of Richie’s muscles, but from the frustrations of a better team just looking for a release!

Our spirits refreshed, the Saints continued to power ahead assaulting the COM defensive line time and again. Narrowly missing several chances (prominent of which was our import Bruce – Ambassadors, who put one wide from the P-spot!) COM mounted infrequent counter attacks, but the wind had been taken out of their sails and the advantage lay clearly with the Saints.

Unfortunately, MBC were unable to capitalize on the possession and territorial advantage that they controlled and COM mounted one final counter offensive. We shunted them out for a corner, which, once taken drew Harley out of his box. The corner was messy and no-one was able to get a clear effort in (with about 15 players attacking the ball as it went in). As we watched people on the floor everywhere, somehow someone had managed to get something to the ball and it looped up, gentle as you like to float down towards Mark (who was on the line, defending the near post). As fate or luck or providence (whichever appeals to you more ;) would have it, the ball managed the perfect height between Mark’s head and the crossbar… Putting COM 2-1 up…

As MBC got ready to strike back with a vengeance, the final whistle sounded, denying us even the centre. It was a disappointing ending to a game whose scoreline did not reflect the true balance of the game, but so it was… A big thanks to all those loyal supporters who came out to watch us, even in the rain. We promise to do you proud in the next one, a TITANIC CLASH between MBC and Gospel Rama!!

Yours in Football

Duff and Brad

MBC vs St James

Coming off the back of a disappointing draw in the league. MBC turned their attention to the cup. With MBC, St martin’s, St James, Jubilee all drawn in the same group, this cup competition was always going to be tough for us.

St James are the team to watch even though it there first season they are a hot side.

Stadio Olympico or better known as Pinelands High School was the venue and it was a perfect conditions to beat St James who in my opinion think they are all professional so i love playing them.

MBC came out in their new colours Blue and white and there was some screaming and jeering when our goalkeeper came out dressed pink. Lovely...

After Mark gave us a hectic warm up and a team talk that included a clip board, i noticed there keeper was a little on the large side and fancied our chances.

Kick off and MBC were on the attack immediately Chad whose in good form had a chance early on followed by a counter on the left with Duffy through and almost finding Jason H in the box, could of been 2 – 0 should of been at least 1-0.

St James started to take control in the middle and had a lot of possession but were really going now where, thanks to the heroic efforts of Mark Slaz and Lucius in the middle. Then a few moments of madness with a through ball and St James were trough on goal only for Harley who was quick off his line to keep them out. Once again the same thing but this time Harley was off line and missed the tackle and an easy tap into an open net( although there was no net) 1 -0 to the delight of the crowed and The guy who scored as he seriously thinks he is Christano Ronaldo. With their fans in full voice MBC had a throw just past the Halfway taken quickly by myself to release Chad down the left he managed to get through and send a low cross Jason H open in the box 1-1. The Fans were quite.... and then further silenced even more when Chad was sent through on goal by Mark Slaz ,I think, and it was 2-1 before you could say, i think there goalie is useless

Then it was a midfield battle that started up, tackles flying including Lucius giving away a lovely professional foul ( Defiantly a yellow) But something had to give and it did with about 10 minutes to go before the half. An attack down the right brought Harley off his line Again, he made a save the ball then fell to a St James player he squared it and they smashed it into a open net (even though there was no net)2-2 Half time.

St James started the half with their tails up. But the Saints were resilient in defence, with some heroic defending from Lucius, Green and Alfie.

Alfie then made the tackle of the match when he followed the attack in from the right, where they had passed in to an unmarked man( Now Alfie was clearly out of position) with Harley to beat he pulled the trigger and i thought it was a certain goal but Alfie Shouted at him as to put him off and got his body in the way to block the shot, real Jamie Carragher stuff that.

Harley who had an in different first half really made up for it in the seconded with a string of cracking saves to make that pink shirt proud. When i say cracking saves i mean fingertip stuff.

We had our chances to clinch it late on most notably a good diving header from Luke only to be denied by the Rather large Keeper.

The game started to boil over with a lot of moaning from St James( real hand bag stuff) and the game came to an abrupt halt, which was just as well as Lucius basically caught the ball just outside the box and the guy who thinks he`s Ronaldo was dead keen to take it and that would of been a seconded yellow = red card for Lucius, but saved by the whistle.

Final Score MBC 2 – 2 St James

After the game i gave it a good thought as i was really disappointed in my fitness levels but what a game it actually was. A real cup tie. End to end and very intense if we play that way all the time we will have no problems, a real heroic performance. It’s not often that you get to play in a game with such intensity, were one mistake and it’s a goal so we will be better off for it. Performances that stood out where Mark who battled away at the centre, Chad Who always looked dangerous, Lucius in defence as well as Andrew Green who is becoming a good wing back But My Man of the match has to go to Rich ` Harley` Davidson, who had some dodgy moments but pulled of some saves that confirm why he is our number 1 ( we actually don’t have a num 2 So just as well our keeper is good) And credit must be given to him for looking Pretty in pink, i mean really pretty........that and the Pastor of the church in his jock strap all became a bit much.

Seriously

As a team we should be proud of our performance we also had two new boys in the team and that’s always hard. i firmly believe that St James went away disappointed. We also showed a new part of our game which is the Counter Attack, Quite similar to The Arsenal way. Maybe our Manger Mark slaz will adopt the Wenger style, it seems to suit us.

The easier teams should be no problem. As far a s the cup goes we in good shape as St Martin and Jubilee drew as well so it’s all square. St martin’s will be another tough one so let’s make sure we crack em in against Jubilee and get the 3 points.

Well played boys good spirit and fight was showed by all